This article explores the notion of ³financial vibrancy² as a way of understanding organizational sustainability. It is based on an analysis of 60 Canadian case studies developed in a project commissioned by the Financial Capacity Task Group of the Voluntary Sector Initiative’s Capacity Joint Table. The case study organizations were chosen to illustrate financial/resourcing best practices. They are, in research terms, the ³outliers² in the funding crisis vibrant and growing organizations, many back from the brink of ³near death² experiences, but all thriving and optimistic about the future. A study of these organizations offers a challenge to how we have been thinking about capacity building for sustainability and begins to set the sign posts for reflection on funder practices that would support a new way forward.
